Abstract

A retrospective analysis of 118 cases of dermatomyositis (DM) collected in 22 departments of dermatology over a 5-year period is presented. 34 cases (28%) were associated with a cancer that was diagnosed more than 1 year prior to (7 cases) concomitantly (22 cases) or more than 1 year after (5 cases) the occurrence of DM. There was a clear correlation between the evolution of DM and a cancer paraneoplastic evolution in 8 cases only (22%). In most of the cases, no extensive diagnostic procedures were necessary for identifying the tumors. 58% of the patients with cancer-associated DM died 20 (8–29) months after the diagnosis of DM. This multicenter study based on a short period of time confirms and extends previous observations based on retrospective single-center analyses.

Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.